Tractor plow



April 3, 1956 W, H. TANKE ET AL TRACTOR PLOW Filed Sept. 25, 1951 United States Parent TRA'CTGR PLW WillardH. 'ranke-and John W. Mydelg La Crosse, Wis., assignors to Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing; Company, Milwaukee, Wis.

Application september 2s, 1951, seran Na. 248,166

s claims. (ci. 97-47.63)

-This invention is directed .generally to agricultural implements and is more particularly concerned with an im- ,.proved form of tractor mounted plow and colter combination.

The' direct mounting of agricultural implements, particularly plows, at the rear of the tractor .is becoming increasinglypopular because of the advantages gained 'thereby 'in the way of elimination of parts necessary for a selffsupporting implement, more eective utilization of tractor power, and easier vhandling on hillsides and in 'turning at the end ofthe held, to mention affew. Moreover, in .the design of yrear mounted plows much effort Yh'asfbeen directed toward placing the implement as close 'to the tractor as possible in order to 'achieve a uniform widthpf cut on curves and contours and, also, shorten the turning `radius of the tractor and implement. The close coupling ofja plow has been somewhat hampered, however, by theneed'for a colter which is generally'supported on the plowv beam ahead of the plow. VThis necessarily calls for a plow'beam extending forwardly of the plowsharepoint.

Still another factor in `the design of a suitable draft coupling fora vrear attached plow is that of lateral adjustment. it has been found beneicialto provide some-means :for varying the width of the cut of the plow and this `is generally accomplishedby laterally shifting the plowwith respect Vto the kcenter line of the tractor. Consequently, in designing a close coupled tractor rear attached plow consideration must be given to means aiording lateral adjustment of `the plow and, also,-to a suitable means for mounting the colter for the 'forwardmos't plow.

And'it isv an object ofthis invention to provide, incomvbination with a'laterally adjustable-plow,la coltermounting aiording close coupling of the plow to the -tractor `wherein the colter is laterally adjustable .to position-same overthe plow point at any' adjusted lateral position .of the plow.

It isfalso an object of the-present invention to provide av colter mounting aiording the positioningeof the colter blade directly over theplowshare point withoutv also-extending the plow beam forward-ofthe point.

The construction and operation' of apparatus l'embodying the invention will become more `apparent as `the disclosure progresses and particularly points out additional objects and advantages of special importance. And, accordingly, the present invention may be considered as comprising the various constructions, combinations and/ or .subcombinations .of parts as is -hereinafter.niorefullyset forth .in the detailed description and appendedclaims, re'ference being had to the accompanying drawing. illustrating but one embodiment of the invention, and-in which:

.Fig l is-a side view of a tractor implement combination embodying the present invention, .with .the near rear .wheel removed in the interest of clarity;

Fig. -2 is applan view of the plow structure/shown `in Eig. .1 with thegupperfportions of the beaming adjustment mechanism and the lift `links broken awaypand ICE 2 ll'iig. 3' is apartial'section taken generally Online 1114-- of Fig. `1.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1, it is seen vthat apparatus Yembodyingv the present invention comprises wgenerally a ,conventional wheel typ'e tractor 1 having an engine 2 supplying powerI to a pair of drive'whee'ls, ahitch mem'- ber 5 for attaching an implement to the tractor, andhaving a' lift means 6 disposed on the rear of the tractor, and a two bottom moldboard plow 7 having a forwardly `extending draft device or pull bar 8 connected withhiteh member A5 on the tractor to couple thegp'low in closereflation to the `tractor with-a pair of lift links `10afforciirig connection between the plow and'the't'ractor carried "lift means.

More' specifically, plow 7 includes a supportingiframe comprising lgenerally parallel sidev members orbe'arns 11 and v-12 with the latterbeing bent, vat an intermediate-portion' thereof, inwardlyr and at right angles yto Atliefparallel beam portions `toterm'fina'te in a-rearwardly extendingspor- :means such as `Ubolts 13. The portion of vlift bar 17 `intermediate the `plow beams mounts a-rigid structure 2'0 vcomprising a- :pair `of `vertically disposed parallel plate :members 2'1fandi22whichinclude aligned openings-therethrough 'to receive the lift .bar in rotatable `andfaxially movable relation. vPlates 21 and 2Q.' are preferably'main- -itained in spaced relationby .spacer elements 23vdetachably secured yin position .at upper Vandlower portions offthe vplates by .bolts 25. Furthermore, the plates .are adjust- :ablyamaintained in laterallyixed position on lift'bar y17 bymeans of a set -collar24 positioned on the lift bar .betweeniplate members 21 and 22.

Tfhezupper ends iofiplates 21 and v22ihaveoetacliably supported therebetweenI atrunnion 26 rotatably receiving =a beaming crank or Vscrew .27 which is threaded at its rearward 'end for'engagement with an internally threaded anchor 28 pivotally :secured to .a yoketl'xedon :the

=.transverseportionof plow beam -1-2 in laterally adjustable .relation thereto. .Actuation of :crank .27 effects-a vertical swinging movement of ther beams 11 and 12 lrelativezto fbar ,17 and consequently :axbeaming adjust-ment of plow 7 is achieved.

The `lower portions lofpla'tes 21 and 22 Aextend below -lit .bar '1.7 to aiiord :means for attaching .-pull :bar ."8

fthereto. rI-:he pull'barhas atransverse openinglfthererthrough .at .its rearward end portion which is .alignable with .a .pair of openings .in plate'members 21 and-Z'Zand Vaholt 321is inserted .through-the aligned openings topiv- .otally seeurewthepullbanto the plate members. O pening. 3.1 .inrpull `bar 8 isrpreferably madefsomewhattlarger than necessary to vreceive bolt 32in orderthat Athe'-;.pull barmay begpivoted laterally, to a limited fextennfas-well Aas vertically. .Spacerblocks '33, having inwardly .facing .convex portions with an opening tl1erethr,ougharepreferiably arranged on bolt32 between pull barS and eachof .theplatemembers to permit the aforementioned lateral pivotal movement of pull bar 8. The rear end-portion .of :pull ibar f8 isheld .againstdownward vertical movement .relative'gtoplatcs .21 and 22 by means of ayoke -.member -35 iixedlysecured to the lowerrearfportions of .the plates, as by `.bolts 36, with the bight 1portion :of lthe yoke t in supporting relation to bar 8. Upward movement of the pull barispreventedby a `spacer b 1ock34 L interposed between the overlying spacer element 23 and the upper edge of pull bar 8. And, it is to he noted in this respect, that the spacing of plate members 21 and 22 is greater than the width or" pull bar 8 and, consequently, there is afforded the above mentioned lateral pivotal movement of the pull bar relative to the axis of bolt 32. ln order to limit this lateral movement and, also, to provide means for the horizontal angular position of the pull bar relative to the plow structure, there is provided a pair of set screws 39 which are threadably received in plate members 21 and 22, respectively, and extend therethrough to engage opposite side portions of the rearmost end of the pull bar. Consequently, by axially adjusting the position of set screws 39 pull bar 8 may be laterally pivoted about bolt 32. This change in the angular position of the pull bar relative to the plow structure affects the angular relationship of the moldboards to the direction of travel and, accordingly, results in a corresponding change in the width of cut of the plow. lt will be noted that in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the beams 11 and 12, stub members 13 and plow bottoms 15 form a unitary structure which is secured to the lift bar 17 independently of the pull bar S for lateral adjustment relative thereto along the lift bar 17.

The forward end portion of pull bar 8 is provided with suitable means for connection with hitch member 5 on the tractor. This is preferably a hitch connection affording universal movement of the pull-bar with respect to the tractor, such as is afforded in the construction shown in Fig. l wherein bolt 37 affords horizontal pivotal movement of the pull bar and pin 38 affords vertical pivotal movement of pull bar S relative to the tractor.

For lifting and lowering the plow structure there is provided a lift mechanism 6 on the tractor comprising a transverse rock shaft 40 rotatably mounted on the rear of the tractor and having a pair of lift arms 41 in the form of bell cranks xed to rock shaft 40 for rotation therewith in laterally spaced relation, a pair of rams 42 operably connected with the lift arms 41 for actuation thereof, and a hydraulic pump 43 driven from the tractor engine and controllable through a lever 45 on the tractor. Lift links 10, which are pivotally connected at one end to lift bar 17 of the plow structure, are connected with the free end portions of lift arms 41 on the tractor. And in this connection it will be noted that the right lift link includes a turnbuckle arrangement which affords vertical movement of the associated end of lift bar 17 relative to the opposite end of the bar to thereby adjust the winging or lateral tilt of the plow.

A pair of colters 46 and 47 are operatively positioned on the plow structure in adjacent overlying relation to the points of the plow bottoms 15. Colter 46 for the left hand plow includes a rotary disk or colter element and a vertical shank portion 43 adjustably secured in position on the forward end of plow beam 11 by a suitable clamping bracket 50. Colter 47 likewise includes a rotary disk and shank portion and is operatively mounted on the right side portion of pull bar 8 for adjustment laterally with respect thereto to conform with the positioning of the right hand plow bottom 15. More specilically, an angle bracket S1 is bolted to the side of the pull bar with the horizontally disposed leg 52 thereof eX- tending laterally outward in the direction of the forwardmost plow bottom and presents a pair. of longitudinally spaced bolt receiving openings to receive bolts 58, the rearwardly located opening 54 being in the form of an arcuate slot. A strap member or swivel support 56, having a vertically disposed swivel or shank portion 57 secured thereto, is positioned in surface abutting relation to leg 52 and secured thereto by bolts 58. Colter 47 includes a yoke 6i) which has a vertically disposed opening therethrough to receive shank 57 and thereby aord a pivotal mounting for the colter. Suitable means, such as pin 61, is provided to detachably secure yoke 60 in vertically fixed relation to shank portion 57.

Features of the hitch means and of the pull bar and frame adjustments herein shown and desctibed, but not claimed, have been made the basis of separate copending application now U. S. Patent 2,650,529, tiled October l, 1951, by W. H. Tanke for Tractor Plow Afording Adjustable Width of Cut, and copending application now U. S. Patent 2,732,784, filed November l, 1951, by W. H. Tanke and R. S. Reaves for Plow Hitch.

It is seen from the foregoing description that the arcuate slot 54 provides a ready means for laterally adjusting the position of colter 47, through the4 loosening of bolts 58 and movement of strap 56 about the pivot-axis of the forwardly disposed bolt, in order that the colter may be properly positioned with respect to its` related plow bottom. Furthermore, the disposition of the colter attaching bracket 51 on draft bar 8 eliminates the need for an extension of plow beam 12 to afford a mounting for the colter. This is a very important factor in the design of a plow structure for mounting in close coupled relation to the rear of the tractor.

Although the present invention has been shown and described with respect to its adaptability to a particular structure, it should be understood that it is not intended to thereby limit the invention. Various modifications and adaptations within the scope of the appended 'claims may readily occur to persons skilled in the art. ,y

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

l. In a rear attached tractor carried plow, the combination of a transverse lift bar presenting opposite` ends adapted for connection with a pair of laterally spaced tractor carried lift arms, a forwardly extending generally rigid pull bar operatively connected at its rearwardly disposed end portion to said lift bar, a plow beam extending transversely of said lift bar; means securing saidplow beam independently of said pull bar to said lift bar for lateral adjustment therealong, a plow bottom carriedby said beam, a colter element, and means positioning said colter element in forwardly spaced operative relation to said plow bottom, said positioning means including a support mounted on and adjustable laterally relative to said pull bar in advance of said plow bottom, releasable locking means operatively interposed between said support and said pull bar for securing said support selectively in different laterally adjusted positions relatively to said pull bar, and means operatively mounting said colter element on said support.

2. In a rear attached tractor carried plow, the combination of, a transverse lift bar adapted for connection with a pair of tractor carried lift arms, a pull bar operatively connected to said lift bar so as to extend forwardly therefrom in horizontally, vertically and angularly fixed relation thereto, a hitch element at a forward portionl of said pull bar adapted for establishing a vertically swingable draft transmitting connection between the latter and a tractor mounted hitch member, a plow frame comprising a pair of beams extending transversely of said lift bar in laterally spaced relation to each other, releasable fastening means connecting said beams at forward end portions thereof in fixed, axially adjustable relation to said lift bar, a first plow bottom carried by one of said.

beams and having its point disposed forwardly of said lift bar, a second plow bottom carried by the other of `said beams and having its point disposed rearwardly of said lift bar, a first colter element mounted on said pull bar for selective adjustment laterally thereof intok operative position relative to the point of said first plow bottom, and a second colter element operatively mounted on said other of said beams forwardly of the point of said second plow bottom. i j

3. In a rear attached tractor carried plow, the combination of, a transverse lift bar adapted for connection with a pair of tractor carried lift arms, a pull bar operatively connected to said lift bar and extending forwardly therefrom, a hitch element at a forward portion of said pull bar adapted for establishing a vertically swingable draft transmitting connection between the latter and a tractor mounted hitch member, a plow frame comprising a pair of beams extending transversely of said lift bar in laterally spaced relation to each other, releasable fastening means connecting said beams at forward end p0rtions thereof in xed axially adjustable relation to said lift bar, a rst plow bottom carried by one of said beams and having its point disposed forwardly of said lift bar, a second plow bottom carried by the other of said beams and having its point disposed rearwardly of said lift bar, a swivel support mounted on and adjustable laterally relative to said pull bar at the side of the latter nearest said one plow beam in advance of said rst plow bottom, releasable locking means operatively interposed between said swivel support and said pull bar for securing said swivel support selectively in dilferent laterally adjusted positions relative to said pull bar, a yoke member pivotally mounted on said swivel support for lateral swinging movement relative to said pull bar, a first colter disk operatively mounted on said yoke member forwardly of the point of said rst plow bottom, a second colter disk, and means operatively mounting said second colter disk on said other of said beams forwardly of said second plow bottom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 360,034 Meikle Mar. 29, 1887 1,683,017 Bechtelheimer et al Sept. 4, 1928 2,030,567 Bowen Feb. 11, 1936 2,420,530 Evans May 13, 1947 2,483,565 Strandlund Oct. 4, 1949 2,619,019 Temple et al Nov. 25, 1952 2,650,529 Tanke Sept. 1, 1953 2,685,241 Silver et al. Aug. 3, 1954 2,688,908 Reaves et al. Sept. 14, 1954 

